Atheist’s Challenge: Christians, Show Your Support for LGBTQ Rights!

“The Friendly Atheist” has some words for Christians who support LGBTQ equality- DO something, or you’re part of the problem. Popular blogger & author, Hemant Mehta, issued his challenge in response to the internet buzz surrounding Christians who attended a Gay Pride Parade with the message: I’m Sorry!

Last month The Marin Foundation went to Chicago Pride to apologize for the harm done to LGBTQs by Christians. Their signs and shirts made an impact. One beautiful story describing the reconciliation unfolding between a marcher & an “apologist” made the rounds on facebook & the blogs, often soliciting the comment,”brought tears to my eyes.”

While many saw this as an encouraging step, some people weren’t buying it.

Mehta, in particular, was skeptical. His impression is that Christians are not supportive of The Gays; words are cheap, let’s see action. Reactions in his comment section were all over the board. Some challenged his take on this, others agreed with him, & many added their unique perspective.

Last week, when Hawaii’s Governor vetoed Civil Unions at the last minute, he used it as a springboard for this challenge:

“I want to see any Christian who finds this despicable to say so. Blog about it. Tell your Facebook friends. Tell your church members. Call out anyone who disagrees. If you don’t, you’re part of the problem.”

He has a point.

Christians who are for The Gays but hide their support under a bushel, aren’t really helping. They’re maintaining the status quo. Which is harming people.

The crazy thing is, there is a lot of support out there for LGBTQs among Christians. We just (mostly) don’t hear about it. Many speak up, but not enough.

If you are Christian and you are LGBTQ-affirming, I believe God has a plan for you. There are people who would like to be more supportive, but don’t know how to square that desire with what they’ve been taught. There are hurting individuals who feel hated & abandoned by the “Church Family” that raised them. They need to hear from you. They WANT to hear from you.

Tina Ciampa is a life-long United Methodist who believes The Church will be one step closer to living out “on Earth as it is in Heaven” when it fully realizes the dignity and worth of all people. She relishes the irony that we will get there even faster thanks to the prodding of an atheist.

I tend to agree with The Friendly Atheist – I think it is time for Christians to do more than say they are sorry for the way the church has treated LGBT people. On one hand I think that the work the Marin Foundation is doing is good and I understand the point that Andrew makes about “not revealing” what he believes about same sex relationships and instead focusing on building good, healthy, respectful, loving relationships between Christians/the church and LGBT people …. BUT, to be honest, I think if I was an LGBT person I wouldn’t really want to have a relationship with people or organizations that thought it was a sin for me to be in a same sex relationship or didn’t support the legalization of same sex marriage or thought I had chosen to be LGBT and should “change”. I think it is time that the Marin Foundation was transparent about what they believe and what they support – or at the very least I think Andrew should say what he believes. I guess I believe that it would be more respectful. I also believe that there are Christians involved with the Marin Foundation who do want to “win LGBT people with love and kindness in hopes of changing them” and I don’t like that. I think it is time for Christians to admit that scripture does not provide much (if any) evidence that same sex relationships are wrong.

Brian- thanks! I popped over to your site & am looking fwd to getting a little time to read. liked what I saw so far.

Liz- excellent points & questions.

Personally, I’m fine with Andrew keeping his position to himself. Ultimately, bridge building will pay off. Stereotypes will be challenged, truth will replace lies & misunderstandings. Relationships will be forged. …generally, when straight ppl get to know gay ppl, anti-gay attitudes they may’ve held tend to change dramatically.

Now to this…

“BUT, to be honest, I think if I was an LGBT person I wouldn’t really want to have a relationship with people or organizations that thought it was a sin for me to be in a same sex relationship or didn’t support the legalization of same sex marriage or thought I had chosen to be LGBT and should “change”.”

Yeah- that is a real bugger.

I’m gay.

My decision to stay in the Church brings continual struggle. The church family I felt so secure in suddenly seemed to fall away when I realized I was gay. I didn’t feel I could share my questions, heartache, relationships (along with relationship issues) … you know, Life, with them. Slowly, but surely, I’m regaining some of that, and exploring my way through new understandings of what “church” (& being a Christian) is.

Interestingly, I’ve found that although many (not all) organizations/churches may proclaim that homosexuality is a sin, the individual people often hold a different view. Or, they are at least interested in talking about it. I’ve offended church members by assuming they believed homosexuality was a sin. That’s the one time I was happy to (accidentally) rile someone up!

Next, if all of the pro-gay ppl leave the Church, how will it change? Gay kids from conservative Christian families are the most at risk for suffering b/c of their orientation. They need to hear from us. When I was questioning my orientation, I just wanted to see ONE gay person in church. I did not. Thankfully, that is changing!

Finally, The Church needs to hear from us. Like the churches that supported segregation, those which stand against the worth, dignity & equality of LGBTQ ppl are not living up to their calling & promise. It can and should be so much better!

I’m confident that we’re heading that way.

Does that make sense? What do you all think? …I’m figuring this out as I go along. Got a perspective, thought or experience you’d like to add?

@Tina C- keep on truckin’, girl. I think you are doing right to stay in the church. I am disappointed in myself for the times I didn’t take issue with anti-gay sentiment in church situations, and now that I’m one of “them” (LGBT) I feel my road will be harder, but that’s okay because I have Jesus on my side. With Him, all things are possible! The question is, how to integrate your life, without becoming “just a gay person”, ie, one whose whole identity is perceived as being subsumed in their sexuality. The real issue is getting EVERYONE to look past that, because who knows, maybe we’re seeing 50 LGBT people in church every Sunday and don’t know it.

Realistically, I don’t think we can expect everyone to look past our orientation. And, that’s the stuff that makes me crazy. I have to remind myself that I cannot make someone else change. I can only change (or, control) myself. -and that applies to all kinds of situations, doesn’t it?

In the meantime… while we deal with people who cannot look past that aspect of us…. what do we do?

Okay, even though I just said we can’t change people… I do believe we can influence one another. I tend to focus on one-on-one discussions w/ people. It takes patience. Often, it pays off over time. Those who come around become really close friends b/c we have learned to be authentic w/ one another and listen.

Those who don’t come around make me feel like there’s got to be a faster/easier way to move things forward that would be a better use of my time and energy. (Can I get an Amen? ;) -or better yet, can i get some suggestions? Keep those comments coming!

Thanks for this post. I have been struggling with this very topic for a long time now. I have attended a conservative church and struggled with my sexuality for years. I have believed that it was a sin and tried to change. I am now trying to accept myself. However I am not out…timing is not right for many reasons. Because of all this I have stopped going to church…but am very intrigued by the fact that you have stayed. You say we can make a difference. I wish I could. I just don’t know where to start.

Season- good to hear from you. You are in good company. Many wonderful, caring, decent, good folks have found themselves in your shoes, walking the same path. I wish there was a guidebook or pat advise I could lay on you, but I believe you’ll find your own way through- the future is brighter than EVER for GLBTs (and Christian ones at that).

I believe that if you wish to make a difference, and you commit to that desire, you will have ample opportunity. (have patience- with yourself and others)

Here is one observation I’d like to offer- mustard seed small is a good start. Mustard seeds do grow. Sometimes, you don’t see the growth for a lonnnng time… but it’s happening. Then, bam. Huge tree.

I have learned to have faith in this. But, faith is something we each come to on our own. You will have to develop your courage and confidence (swap that order). You WILL have plenty of opportunities to learn to listen to your heart (or that still small voice which, clearly, you’re already doing), and plenty of opportunities to stand on your own. Which won’t be fun. But it IS how we grow. It’s part of a bigger process. Believe in that.

Feel free to find me on facebook or my blog. I’d be happy to continue our conversation. Also, I hope you have resources and at least A supportive friend in real life. If not, I can get you some info, resources & links.

Lovely! I’m in! I have to confess it took me awhile to take a stand – I beat around the bush, trying to be a centrist or a moderate or noncommittal or something. I’m ashamed of that, but it’s time to move forward. I bring this issue up in seminary as much as possible. They’re sick of me ;) Thanks for the exhortation!